Muted surprise arose as Sirhan stared down into eyes as red as blood in a cauldron. Clawed fingers gripped his neck as the skin he thought belonging to the body Jaxe Blade began to peel away revealing knotted green flesh underneath.
Was his mind playing tricks? The blurring of his eyesight told him that what was happening was real. His lungs burned for air as he struggled to breathe. Growing in size and strength was a 'Changeling'. A dark creature able to manipulate its form to take on another. And now it towerd over him, spindly arms abnormally strong increasing its advantage of surprise.
The image of the weapons master completely stripped away, it forced the dwarf king back, a hideous smile breathing victory at the well thought out plan. To Sirhan if felt that he was under a great expanse of water fighting to breach the surface but unable to do so.
As he struggled to keep his thoughts in order, he gripped the Changeling's wrist trying to wrestle free. Why didn't the mage realize that a trap had been set? These questions began to dim as he dropped to a knee feeling the icy fingers of Death seep deep into the marrow of his bones.
Where were the others?
Wayward Adventures
Moderators: Kaylin, Gabriel Ravenlock
Re: Wayward Adventures
Within the Black Rock massive furnaces billowed immense heat that wafted through fissures keeping the tunnels that normally would be cold, comfortably warm. Strong backs bent to tasks, sweat and grit revealed on bare chests as calloused hands went about hard diligent work.
Sounds of grunting and the grinding of gears signified that the dwarven nation was vibrant and strong after the dark period of the Bleak War. Deep voices gave life to old songs as dedicated commitment to duty continued even in the absence of their king.
The auburn glow gave silhouette to the naturally formed walls stretching up and away into the darkness high above. As more coal was fed to the fires, the clanging of hammer upon anvil echoed a chorus of fortitude, strong tireless arms never wavering in their purpose. Dwarven weapons were being forged, the sound of hot steel hissing in baths of cold water erupted great clouds of steam that could be seen from one side of the cavern to the other.
A tapestry of hard work that wasn't lost on the lone figure standing atop a outcropping of rock overlooking those below. A broad shouldered dwarf leaned forward, hands secured around a wooden railing. Talwin, Sirhan's brother, nodded with satisfaction that all had remained unchanged. While his twin was away, he'd sworn to watch over things knowing that whatever the venture, it wouldn't take too long.
So had been the promise made.
But Talwin was having doubts.
Something had changed. Ever since a messenger had come bearing a letter, his brother seemed preoccupied...distant. A shout hung in the air and was followed by the sound of ropes tightening in preparation of lifting a large crate. Several dwarves worked in unison even as hearty shouts of encouragement sang out in a chorus of strength.
"FOR THE KING!"
Coarse strands of black hair framed Talwin's rugged face, a mustache and beard giving him the look of a bear roused from a long winter's sleep. Leather bands were worn on both wrists matching the color of his sleeveless vest and pants tucked into tethered sandals. The large silver belt buckle gleamed of recently been polished and nestled in a loop in his black belt, a war hammer resembling the one worn by the king, gleamed against the russet flames.
Quite suddenly a disturbance from the tunnel behind turned him around in time to see a dwarf hurrying in his direction. Bethel, one of the captains of the guard drew close, his forehead peppered in sweat with the effort needed to find Talwin quickly.
A momentary pause before he gave the captain a nod to proceed.
"Messengers are making their way along the corridors giving warning. The women are gathering the children and making their way toward the back tunnels. We need to hurry."
It took a moment to try to understand what was being said. Why were the back tunnels being used? They were only used in case the mountain fortress was in danger of being overrun.
His face stern, Talwin's voice was edged in anger. No one would dare give that order but the king, and while he was away, that decision would be left up to him, but he hadn't given so much a word.
"What are you talking about?", he demanded.
Bethel stood there, his eyes showing something as rare as could possibly be seen.
Fear. That was something that dwarves would never show unless all seemed hopeless, and even then, it was unacceptable. Dwarves were a courageous and fierce people known for their bravery.
But it was fear that was being paraded in the dwarf captain's eyes. And it caused a small portion of doubt to creep into his own.
"What is it?", Talwin asked suddenly.
Bethel pointed to where the entrance into the mountain hold would be should one be able to look through the very heart of it. His voice barely a whisper...
"From the north. A dragon comes."
Sounds of grunting and the grinding of gears signified that the dwarven nation was vibrant and strong after the dark period of the Bleak War. Deep voices gave life to old songs as dedicated commitment to duty continued even in the absence of their king.
The auburn glow gave silhouette to the naturally formed walls stretching up and away into the darkness high above. As more coal was fed to the fires, the clanging of hammer upon anvil echoed a chorus of fortitude, strong tireless arms never wavering in their purpose. Dwarven weapons were being forged, the sound of hot steel hissing in baths of cold water erupted great clouds of steam that could be seen from one side of the cavern to the other.
A tapestry of hard work that wasn't lost on the lone figure standing atop a outcropping of rock overlooking those below. A broad shouldered dwarf leaned forward, hands secured around a wooden railing. Talwin, Sirhan's brother, nodded with satisfaction that all had remained unchanged. While his twin was away, he'd sworn to watch over things knowing that whatever the venture, it wouldn't take too long.
So had been the promise made.
But Talwin was having doubts.
Something had changed. Ever since a messenger had come bearing a letter, his brother seemed preoccupied...distant. A shout hung in the air and was followed by the sound of ropes tightening in preparation of lifting a large crate. Several dwarves worked in unison even as hearty shouts of encouragement sang out in a chorus of strength.
"FOR THE KING!"
Coarse strands of black hair framed Talwin's rugged face, a mustache and beard giving him the look of a bear roused from a long winter's sleep. Leather bands were worn on both wrists matching the color of his sleeveless vest and pants tucked into tethered sandals. The large silver belt buckle gleamed of recently been polished and nestled in a loop in his black belt, a war hammer resembling the one worn by the king, gleamed against the russet flames.
Quite suddenly a disturbance from the tunnel behind turned him around in time to see a dwarf hurrying in his direction. Bethel, one of the captains of the guard drew close, his forehead peppered in sweat with the effort needed to find Talwin quickly.
A momentary pause before he gave the captain a nod to proceed.
"Messengers are making their way along the corridors giving warning. The women are gathering the children and making their way toward the back tunnels. We need to hurry."
It took a moment to try to understand what was being said. Why were the back tunnels being used? They were only used in case the mountain fortress was in danger of being overrun.
His face stern, Talwin's voice was edged in anger. No one would dare give that order but the king, and while he was away, that decision would be left up to him, but he hadn't given so much a word.
"What are you talking about?", he demanded.
Bethel stood there, his eyes showing something as rare as could possibly be seen.
Fear. That was something that dwarves would never show unless all seemed hopeless, and even then, it was unacceptable. Dwarves were a courageous and fierce people known for their bravery.
But it was fear that was being paraded in the dwarf captain's eyes. And it caused a small portion of doubt to creep into his own.
"What is it?", Talwin asked suddenly.
Bethel pointed to where the entrance into the mountain hold would be should one be able to look through the very heart of it. His voice barely a whisper...
"From the north. A dragon comes."
Re: Wayward Adventures
A slow blink of her eyes as she watched Sirhan drop to his knees. Was he grieving? Stepping forward she moved to place a hand onto his shoulder only to spot the twisted figure of what use to look like Jaxe Blade. An array of emotions swept through her but not enough to cloud her thoughts. Immediately a hand went to the wrist of the changeling while her right foot shoved against the bicep forcing the elbow to bend inward. Left hand snatched out the ivory hilted knife from her belt and in two fierce swipes, she forced the blade between the bones, severing the limb off completely. Shaking the wrist she attempted to get the fingers to release Sirhan's throat. Once the digits released the dwarf the limb was released to the ground and she turned to the creature below.
Moving her foot it stomped into the ground and her left foot drew back. She should have known from the moment that the mage had told her what Jaxe had said about her. She should have known! There would be no way that Jaxe would talk so favorable about her on his deathbed. She had been a fool and what's worst was that she got emotional! With every ounce of anger and emotional frustration was focused into one powerful kick to the creature's head. With as much force as there was, it was a surprise its head didn't pop off and go flying like a football!
"TIMBER! To Mira! NOW!" Her main concern was to see if Timber could sense if Mira was really Mira or had she been replaced with another Changeling. Hopefully, the large swampcat would at least listen to her demand for a request. Shooting her gaze towards Brindle and Garland she all but stepped between the creature and the recovering dwarf. "Brindle! Prepare the horses for leave. We are no longer safe here. You, Garland was it? Get your hide over here and make yourself useful! Separate your men to assist Brindle and Mira if that really is the dear child."
The sudden feeling of electric pain shot from her gut and clear across her chest. At first, a small gurgling sound and her vision began to cloud over but she quickly forced herself to push it aside. Second dagger withdrawn, she prepared to fight the creature if she had to. "You alright Sirhan?"
Moving her foot it stomped into the ground and her left foot drew back. She should have known from the moment that the mage had told her what Jaxe had said about her. She should have known! There would be no way that Jaxe would talk so favorable about her on his deathbed. She had been a fool and what's worst was that she got emotional! With every ounce of anger and emotional frustration was focused into one powerful kick to the creature's head. With as much force as there was, it was a surprise its head didn't pop off and go flying like a football!
"TIMBER! To Mira! NOW!" Her main concern was to see if Timber could sense if Mira was really Mira or had she been replaced with another Changeling. Hopefully, the large swampcat would at least listen to her demand for a request. Shooting her gaze towards Brindle and Garland she all but stepped between the creature and the recovering dwarf. "Brindle! Prepare the horses for leave. We are no longer safe here. You, Garland was it? Get your hide over here and make yourself useful! Separate your men to assist Brindle and Mira if that really is the dear child."
The sudden feeling of electric pain shot from her gut and clear across her chest. At first, a small gurgling sound and her vision began to cloud over but she quickly forced herself to push it aside. Second dagger withdrawn, she prepared to fight the creature if she had to. "You alright Sirhan?"
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